Give cannabis treats to barking dogs, lawyers urge
Medicinal derivatives of drug should be allowed for pets, solicitors say, as they call for change in the law
BARKING dogs could soon be given cannabis-infused treats to calm them if lawyers succeed in overhauling existing regulations regarding the use of the drug in products for pets.
Mackrell Turner Garrett is the first firm of solicitors in the UK to set up a “cannabis law” division to deal with businesses looking to take advantage of loosening legislation on the drug.
Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, announced in October that doctors would be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis products to human patients.
The sector is now expected to expand dramatically over the next two to three years. However, one area where regulation is yet to be relaxed is in treatment for pets.
Robert Jappie, who heads the department at Mackrell Turner Garrett, said a client had instructed the firm to pave the way for the use of Cannabidiol – a non-psychoactive derivative of cannabis, which is commonly known as CBD and legal for human consumption – in pet products.
Mr Jappie said the Government’s approach to regulation was inconsistent.
“If you have a dog that barks the house down, anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD calms them down making them no longer a problem for owners,” he said.
While the cannabis derivative is deemed to be a food product when used by humans, it is considered by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the regulatory body for animals, to be a medicine.
In the US, products from dog treats to cannabis-infused shampoo offer pet owners a range of supposed benefits for their animals. A number of companies sell dog biscuits that promise to help pets suffering with separation anxiety, social anxiety, aggression or depression.
Confirming that his firm had been instructed by an overseas company to seek a change to the regulation of cannabis derivatives in animal products, Mr Jappie said he hoped to soon see a change in the VMD’S position.
“The UK has a huge number of pet owners and understandably companies from overseas see this as a large market,” he said. “But the manufacturers also genuinely believe in these product. They are pet owners themselves and they have seen firsthand the positive impact the use of CBD can have on animals.”
In a letter to Mr Jappie, seen by The Daily Telegraph, the VMD said trials had shown CBD to have a “pharmacological action” on animals and it must therefore be considered a medicine.
Caroline Allen, the chief veterinary officer at the RSPCA, said the animal welfare charity was unaware of any studies that showed proven benefits of CBD oil for pets.